By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary The video lasted less than two minutes. A young woman walking through Red Light Market in Monrovia was suddenly surrounded by a group of men who tore the clothes from her body. Her offense, they claimed, was, ironically, dressing indecently. Someone filmed the attack. Within hours, the…
Across Liberia, nine out of ten young people grow up without basic sex education, leaving girls vulnerable to teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and poverty. A recent investigation highlights stories like Benetta’s, who became pregnant at 17 without knowing how pregnancy occurs, and Mamia’s, who dropped out of school after early motherhood. With one in three…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives MISSION-THIRD, Montserrado County – Esther was 39 years old when she died in her friend’s arms here late last year. Family and neighbors say she had survived years of abuse by her husband. But no help ever came. Her husband is now detained and facing a murder…
By Tetee Gebro, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: BENSONVILLE, Montserrado — Benetta was 17 when she first became pregnant. No one had ever explained sex, contraception, or how pregnancy happens to her. People in her community started talking and urged her to visit a clinic. A nurse told her she would be a mother…
Young Liberians have made history! A new Youth Gender-Based Violence Taskforce has been launched to fight sexual violence across all 15 counties. This bold step empowers young voices to report cases, raise awareness, and demand justice — proving that the future of Liberia is one where survivors are heard and protected. Joyclyn Wea reports in…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: When young Liberians marched through the streets of the capital in March demanding stronger action against rape and gender-based violence, many wondered whether the government would simply receive their petition and move on. Less than two months later, the Ministry of Gender has answered that question…
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Liberia should be ashamed that women occupy only 11 of the 103 seats in the National Legislature — warning that the imbalance is slowing the country’s development and peacebuilding efforts. Women’s rights advocates welcomed her remarks, saying the low representation reflects the continued dominance of male political power…
In Monrovia, a mother says she is living in fear after the boy accused of raping herdaughter was released and returned to their community — exposing major gaps inLiberia’s justice system. In this collaboration with New Narratives Tetee Gebro has areport. The story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the “Investigating Liberia” project. Funding…
Sweden’s exit from Liberia leaves a critical gap in support for girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. For years, Swedish funding empowered local organizations to mentor young women, provide sex education, and reduce teen pregnancy. Now, with this lifeline ending, rural communities risk losing access to vital programs that protect girls’ futures. Advocates are…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: S.D. COOPER ROAD, Paynesville – At a Valentine’s Day gathering earlier this year, a teenage girl stood before her peers. She described a boy in her community who had been giving her gifts and telling her she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. She was…
Liberia’s House has taken a bold step by backing a 30% gender quota for candidates — but women’s groups warn the “best efforts” clause could let parties off the hook. True equality means enforceable laws, not optional promises. Joyclyn Wea reports in this social media Video. To read more about this story click this link:…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Walk into Liberia’s Capitol Building during a legislative session, and the gender imbalance is difficult to miss. In the 73-member House of Representatives, just eight lawmakers are women. In the Senate, women occupy just two of 30 seats. That reality is why many women’s rights advocates initially…
A 57‑year‑old grandmother from Montserrado County, who says she was raped in broad daylight while returning from panning for gold, has faced months of delays and demands for illegal fees as she tries to pursue justice. Her case file went missing for weeks, and despite finally being found, the trial has yet to begin. Advocates…
By Tetee Gebro, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: TODEE, Montserrado County — On a recent morning, the 57-year-old grandmother at the center of a rape case that has outraged anti-gender-based violence advocates, returned to the gold field where her life changed four months ago. Her body and mind have not recovered from what she said…
By Tetee Gebro, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: WATERSIDE MARKET, Monrovia – Bessy Toe sat behind small piles of sugar, flour and milk here one day recently, watching the hours pass. Business used to move, she said. Now, goods stay too long on the table, and sometimes they must be sold at a loss to…
Liberia’s market women say the Iran conflict has driven up fuel and import costs, leaving them with slow sales, spoiled goods, and families cutting back on meals just to cope with the rising prices. Tetee Gebro reports in this social media Video. To read more about this story click this link: Liberia’s Market Women Bear…
The Red Cross has started rebuilding homes in Bethel Town, River Cess County after the mob attack that destroyed much of the community, but residents continue to struggle with hunger, lack of clean water, and insecurity. While the new houses bring hope, families say their most urgent needs remain unmet, leaving recovery fragile and incomplete….
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Liberian women’s health advocates have cautiously welcomed a government announcement that it is going to more closely regulate Misoprostol, a drug widely used to cause a medical abortion or to provide care for women facing life-threatening conditions during and after pregnancy. But they warn that the…
At a meeting in Monrovia, women from major political parties acknowledged that despite their central role as voters, mobilizers, and organizers, they remain marginalized in leadership, holding just 10.7% of seats in the Legislature. The coalition, supported by UN Women and civil society groups, unveiled a revised constitution and strategic plan to strengthen advocacy, county…
In Liberia, an 8-year-old rape survivor is forced to live near her alleged attacker because the country has no juvenile rehabilitation centers. Judges are left with no choice but to release minors accused of serious crimes, leaving victims exposed to trauma and communities struggling for justice. Tetee Gebro reports in this social media Video. To…
By Tetee Gebro, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary : • A mother says she paid to have the boy accused of raping her 8-year-old daughter jailed then found him back in the community. • Liberia has no functioning juvenile rehabilitation centers, forcing judges to release minors accused of serious crimes. • Lawyers warn the…
